Safety closure

ABSTRACT

A safety closure consisting of a container and a cap comprising a core and flexible deformable base having a downwardly opening chamber enclosing the container mouth and an upwardly opening chamber to receive the core; the core is moveable relative to the core receiving chamber between a lock position interfering with certain inward deformation of the base, and an unlock position not interfering with such inward deformation of the base; when the core is in the unlock position, the base may be deformed inwardly to retract certain radial projections on the base from corresponding radial recessions in the container to permit removal of the base from the container - such projections, when fitted in said recessions, normally prevent removal of the base; and, in one embodiment, the base having one upwardly inclined surface defining the inner surface which, when pressure is applied to the outside of the base adjacent such surface, tends to force the core upwardly out of the base; and, in other embodiments, various other core designs requiring different core removal.

United States Patent Wittemer SAFETY CLOSURE [72] Inventor: William C.Wittemer, 20102 Clare Avenue, Maple Heights, Ohio 22 Filed: June 19,1970[21 Appl.No.: 47,869

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.807,326,

March 14, 1969, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl ..215/9, 215/46, 220/94 A [51] Int. Cl. ..B65d 21/00 [58]Field of Search .....2l5/9, 41 C; 220/60 A, 94 A, 220/24.5, 47; 229/43Primary Examiner-George T. Hall Attorney-McCoy, Greene & Howell [.513,703,975 '[451 Nov. 28, 1972 ABSTRACT A safety closure consisting of acontainer and a cap comprising a core and flexible deformable basehaving a downwardly opening chamber enclosing the container mouth and anupwardly opening chamber to receive the core; the core is moveablerelative to the core receiving chamber between a lock positioninterfering with certain inward deformation of the base, and an unlockposition not interfering with such inward deformation of the base; whenthe core is in the unlock position, the base may be deformed inwardly toretract certain radial projections on the base from corresponding radialrecessions in the container to permit removal of the base from thecontainer such projections, when fitted in said recessions, normallyprevent removal of the base; and, in one embodiment, the base having oneupwardly inclined surface defining the inner surface which, whenpressure is applied to the outside of the base adjacent such surface,tends to force the core upwardly out of the base; and, in otherembodiments, various other core designs requiring different coreremoval.

37 Claim, 22 Drawing Figures PA'TENTEDunvzsaarz 3103.975

'FIG.4

INVENTOR.

WILLIAM C. WITTEMER BY M0 0, Queue 8 Jewell ATTORNEYS Pmmiunuvz I912 3703. 975

: SHEU 2 BF 4 INVENTOR. 59 WILLIAM c WITTEMER BY 50 M0604 Qwene a r owedATTORNEYS PATENTEDNnvz m2 3.703975 sum 3 BF 4 INVENTOR. WILLIAM C.WITTEMER BY #40 604 Queue 8 J4me ATTORNEYS PKTENTEDW 2 I912 3 703.97 5

I SHEET h 0F 4 INVENTOR. WILLIAM c. WITTEMER BY M0604 5m 81 J/owellATTORNEYS SAFETY CLOSURE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This isa continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 807,3 26, filed Mar. 14,1969, now abandoned.

This invention relates to safety closures and to safety caps for safetyclosures, and more particularly to safety closures and safety capstherefor for holding medicines, drugs or. the like which are difficultfor small children to open.

In the past, safety closures for drugs and the like have been physicallydifficult to open so that even though children could not open them, theywere also quite difficult for an adult to open, and often impossible fora person with arthritis for instance.

Other safety closures have been easier to operate and yet, whilechildren have been unable to open them, the cost of manufacturing suchclosures has been relatively great and they have not been acceptable toindustry as a result.

The object of this invention is to provide a safety closure which cannotbe readily opened by small children, so that when the unit is used forholdingdangerous substances, such as drugs or medicines, there will beless liklihood of children gaining access to them.

Another object of the invention is to provide safety closures whereinthe procedure employed to remove the cap is not obvious and therebyreduces the possibility of children opening or removing the cap.

A further object of the invention is to provide a safety closure whereinat least two separate steps must be following in order to remove the capfrom the container thereby making the procedure for removing the capfrom the container relatively unobvious to small children.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a safety closurewherein the cap is easy to remove from the container if the method ofdoing so is known to the user but difficult to remove if the method isunknown.

A still further objectof the invention is to provide a safety closurewhich is inexpensive to manufacture.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a safety closurewherein the cap cannot be forced from the container by a child.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a safetyclosure which can be manufactured in one piece to facilitate assemblyduring production and maintain costs within acceptable limits.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings where like numerals are used to designatelike parts throughout the same:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS container of FIG. 1, but showing thecaps central core rotated through 90 to its unlock" position.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the safety cap and container of FIG. 1with parts broken away and shown in section, showing the caps centralcore in its lock position.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the safety cap and container of FIG. 1with parts broken away and shown in section, showing the caps centralcore in its unlock position.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the safety cap and container of FIG. 1with parts broken away and shown in section, and illustrating how, whenthe caps central core is in unlock position, the cap may be manuallydeformed for removal from the container.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the safety cap of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a further embodiment of a safety capand container in accordance with the present invention with parts brokenaway and shown in section, and showing the caps central core in lockpositlOl'l.

FIG. 8 is a sectional elevational view of the cap of FIG. 7, showing thecaps central core in unlock position.

FIG. 9 is a perspective exploded view of the cap of FIG. 7. a

FIG. 10 is an elevational view, with parts broken away and shown insection, of a further embodiment of a safety cap in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention, showing the central core in lockposition.

FIG. 11 is a partially sectioned view of the cap of FIG. 10, showing thecentral core in unlock position.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the cap of FIG. 10, showing the central corein its lock position.

FIG. 13 is an elevational sectioned view of a further embodiment of asafety cap in accordance with the principles of the present invention,showing the central core in the lock position.

FIG. 14 is a partially sectioned view of the cap of FIG. 13, showing thecentral core being removed from its lock position to' unlock the cap.

FIG. 15 is an elevational view in section of a further embodiment of asafety cap in accordance with the principles of the present invention,showing the central core in lock position.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the cap of FIG. 15, with the central core inlock position.

FIG. 17 is an elevational view, with parts broken away and shown insection, of a further embodiment of a safety container and cap inaccordance with the present invention, wherein the core portion ishinged to the base portion, and showing the core in its unlockedposition.

FIG. 18 is a sectional elevational side view of the cap and a'portion ofthe container of FIG. 17, showing the cap s core in its lock position.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the cap shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a sectional end view of the cap and container taken along thelines 20-20 of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and shown insection, of a further embodiment of a safety closure in accordance withthe principles of the present invention, wherein the core is hinged tothe base and wherein the core is provided with an annular rim to providea snap fit of the core within the base, showing the core in its unlockposition.

FIG. 22 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and shown insection, of a further embodiment of a safety closure in accordance withthe principles of the present invention, wherein the core is providedwith a 3 slot for insertion of a tool to facilitate removal of the corefrom the base, and showing the core in lock position.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings ingreater detail:

The first embodiment of the present invention is a safety cap landcontainer 2 for use with such cap 1 as shown in FIGS. 1-6 wherein thecontainer 2 has an opening 3 in its upper end and a neck portion 4 inwhichthe container opening 3 is formed. The neck 4 is provided with anannular lip portion 5 extending radially outwardly. The cap 1 is adaptedfor mountingon the neck 4 in a manner closing the container opening 3and is comprised of a unitary deformable base 6 having a core receivingchamber 7 in its upper end andacore 8movable between a lock position(e.g. as illustrated in FIG. 3)-in the core receiving chamber 7 and anunlock position (e.g. as illustrated in FIG. 4).

The unitary deformable base 6 is comprised of a lower skirt portion '9and an upper wall portion 10. The lower skirt portion 9 of the unitarydeformable base 6 extends downwardly to form a downwardly openingchamber 11 to receive the container neck 4.- The upper wall portionextends upwardly to form the upwardly opening chamber which is the corereceiving chamber 7.

The lower skirt portion 9 is formed to substantially encircle thecontainer neck 4 and has a portion 14 adapted to engage the containerneck 4 to prevent removal of the base 6 from the container neck 4 whenthe core 8 is in lock position in the core receiving chamber 7. In theinstant embodiment, where the container 2 has an outwardly projectinglip portion 5, the neck engaging portion 14 of the bases lower skirt 9is comprised of an inwardly projecting rib 14 adapted to extend beneaththe containers aforesaid outwardly projecting lip portion 5. The upperwall portion 10 of the base 6-has a surface region 13 adapted for-manualengagement, hereinafter referred to as the finger engaging surface 13,located directly above theneck engaging portion 14 of the lower skirtportion 9. The base 6 is deformable in a manner such that whensufficient finger pressure is applied to the finger engaging surface-13, the base 6 deforms to assume a release configuration characterizedby substantial inward deformation of the upper wall portion 10 at thefinger engaging surface 13 into the center of the core receiving chamber7, thereby causing the neck engaging portion 14 of the skirt portion tobe retracted away from the center of the neck receiving chamber 11 andpermitting the base 6 to be disengaged from the container neck 4 andremoved from the container 2.

The base 6 has a central flexible transverse web portion 15 extendingfrom its interior surface-at the intersection of the upper wall portion10 and the lower skirt portion 9 to separate the core receiving chamber7 from the neck receiving chamber 11. The core receiving chamber 7 isessentially cylindrical in form and the core member Shas an outerdiameter generally corresponding to the inner diameter of the corereceiving chamber 7.

The core 8 is disposed in the core receiving chamber 7 and rotatablerelative to the base 6 between a locked position (see FIG. 3) and anuniockedposition (see 4 FIG. 4). The core 8 hasopposed off-set portions16 in its side surfaces.

When the core 8 is in lock position, the off-set portions 16 aredisposed generally 90 away from the finger'engaging portions 13 so thatfinger pressure on the finger engaging surface 13 tending to deform theupper wall portion 10 toward the center of the core receiving chamber 7will not so deform base 6 due to obstruction provided by the core 8. 7

When the core 8 has been rotated from the lock position into the unlockposition, the unlock position is characterized by alignment of theoff-set core portion 16 with the finger engaging surface 13 of the base6. When the core 8 is in unlock position, finger pressure applied to thefinger engaging surface 13 of the base 6 deforms the base 6 inwardly atthat point without interference or obstruction of the core 8. Thus, whenthe core 8 is in unlock position, .the base 6 may be deformed to assumethe aforesaid releaseconfiguration (characterized by substantial inwarddeformation of the upper closure member wall 10 at the finger engagingsurface 13 so that the base wall 10 deforms into the core receivingchamber 7; and further characterized by the outward deformation of theneck engaging portion 14 of the base skirt 9 away from the containerneck 4 to permit disengagement of the base 6 from the container neck 4and allow removal of the base 6 therefrom).

The base 6 is of unitary construction and may be constructed of avariety of materials including polyethylene. The base 6 is constructedso that the portions comprising the finger engaging surface 13 and theneck engaging portion 14 are fairly rigid, and perhaps more rigid thanother'portions of the base 6, so that when pressure is exerted inwardlyon the finger engaging surface 13 in the aforesaid manner, the base 6will deform at the sides and at the web 15 before it deforms rather thanat the finger engaging surface 13.

The core 8 may be constructed of any suitable material includingpolyethylene, however, it should have a relatively rigid construction.

Proper deformation of the base 6 into the release configuration isfacilitated-by providing a cut-away portion 17 to relieve the sides ofthe lower skirt 9 during deformation as shown in FIG. 5.

The core 8 has a connector 18 extending from the center of the coreslower surface and provided with an enlarged end portion 20. Theconnector 18 extends through an aperture 19 formed in the base web 15and is anchored there by the enlarged connector end 20.

Referring now to the second embodiment of the present invention,illustrated in FIGS. 7-9, there is shown a container 21 having a neckportion 22 with the container opening 23 in the neck portion 22 and withlip portions 24 extending in an annular fashion radially outwardly fromthe neck portion 22. The safety cap 25 is adapted to fit securely uponthe neck of the container 21 to close the container opening 23. Thesafety cap 25 is comprised of a unitary deformable base member 26 havinga core receiving chamber 27 in its upper end and a core 28 received inthe core receiving chamber 27 and movable between a lock position and anunlock position. The unitary deformable base 26 comprises a lower skirtportion 29 and an upper wall portion 30. The lower skirt portion 29encircles the neck 22 of the container 21 and forms a downwardly openingneck receiving chamber 31. The base skirt 29 has neck engaging portions32 which are comprised of opposed inwardly projecting rib portions 24 ofthe container neck 22. The upper wall portion 30 of the base 26 opensupwardly and forms the core receiving chamber 27. The upper wall portion30 is provided with a finger engaging surface 33 located directly abovethe neck engaging portion 32 of the skirt 29. The base 26 is deformableto assume a release configuration in response to finger pressure appliedto the finger engaging surface 33 where such pressure is sufficient todeform the upper wall portion 30 so that the finger engaging surface 33moves substantially towards the center of the core receiving chamber 27,thereby deforming the neck engaging portion 32 of the skirt 29 away fromthe center of the neck 22. When the neck 22 is received in the neckreceiving chamber 31, deformation of the base 26 into the releaseconfiguration disengages the neck engaging portion 32 from the containerneck 22 and permits removal of the base 26 therefrom.

The base 26 is further comprised of a central transverse web portion 34extending from its interior surface at the intersection of the upperwall 30 and lower skirt portion 29 of the base 26 to separate the corereceiving chamber 27 from the neck receiving chamber 31. The web 34 isprovided with a central aperture 35 for receiving the core connector 36.

The core 28 of the embodiment' shown in FIGS. 7-9 has a generallycylindrical body portion 37 with tion 57 spanning the base interior togenerally separate the core receiving chamber 52 from the neck receivingchamber 55. The lower skirt portion 54 is adapted to encircle acontainer neck and has a neck engaging porthreaded sides 38corresponding to the inner side 39 of I the bases upper side wall 30which is also threaded. The core 28 has cut-away grip portions 40 topermit manual rotation of the core 28 within the core receiving chamber27. When rotated, the core 28 moves screw-like between a lock position(shown in FIG. 7) and an unlock position (shown in FIG. 8) where thecore 28 is withdrawn from the base 26. The core 28 is further providedwith an elongated connector 36 having an enlarged anchor portion 41 onits opposed end. The core connector 36 is received in the webs centralaperture and extends down into the neck receiving chamber 31 beneath.The enlarged end portion 41 anchors the core 28 in the aperture 35 sothat when the core 28 is unscrewed from the core chamber 27, as shown inFIG. 8, the core 28 remains attached to the base 26. In addition, theenlarged end 41 of the core 28 fits tightly into the container opening23 at a reduced portion 42 of the container neck 22. While this addedsealing feature is optional, it causes the cap 25 to draw up tight onthe container neck 22, providing a positive seal which may be desiredfor bottles intended to contain liquids and otherwise provides a snugfit.

FIG. 10-12 are illustrative of a third embodiment of the presentinvention wherein a safety cap 50, suited for use with a container (notshown) similar to that previously illustrated and discussed, iscomprised of a unitary deformable base 51 having a core receivingchamber 52 formed in its upper region and a core member 53 receivedtherein and movable relative thereto between a locked position and anunlocked position. The deformable base 51 is comprised of a lower skirtportion 54 forming a chamber 55 to receive a container neck and an upperwall portion 56 forming the core receiving chamber 52. The deformablebase 51 is further comprised of a central transverse web portion 58comprised of an inwardly projecting ribs 58 adapted to extend beneaththe container lip. The base s upper wall portion 56 has a fingerengaging surface 59 located above the neck engaging portion 58 of theskirt 54. The base 51 is deformable to assume a release configuration inresponse to finger pressure applied to the finger engaging surface 59where the pressure is sufficient to deform the upper wall portion 56 tomove the finger engaging surface 59 substantially'inward toward the corereceiving chamber 52 and to deform the neck engaging portion 58 of theskirt portion 54 away from the center of the neck receivin chamber 56 sothat it will disengage a container neck and permit its removaltherefrom.

The upper wall portions 56 of the base 51 are provided with two opposedinwardly extending flanges 60 which extend only part of the distancearound the interior of the upper wall portion 56.

The core 53 is generally cylindrical and has cylindrical side walls 61as shown in FIG. 12 with two opposed radially outwardly extending flangeportions 62 which extend about only a portion of the cores side surface.When the core 53 is in lock position, the core flanges 62 are locatedbeneath the 'base flanges 60, so that the core 53 may not be withdrawnfrom the core chamber 52 without first rotating it to an intermediateposition where the core flanges 62 are no longer beneath the basesinwardly extending flanges 60. The core 53 may be withdrawn from thecore chamber 52 after having been rotated to such intermediate position.The core 53 is provided with an elongated core connector 63 extendingfrom its lower surface. The core connector 63.

is received in an aperture 65 in the bases web 57 and has an enlargedend portion 64 to anchor it there. Thus, when the core 53 is withdrawnfrom the core chamber 52 (unlock position) as shown in FIG. 1 l, thecore 53 is retained from becoming entirely disengaged from the base 51.

When the core 53 is in lock position, as shown in FIG. 10, the fingerengaging surface 59 of the upper closure wall 56 may not be deformedinwardly'to any substantial degree and, consequently, the neck engagingportion 58 of the skirt 54 disposed beneath the finger engaging surface59 may not be retracted away from the neck receiving chamber 55 or awayfrom the container neck and cannot assume the release configurationnecessary for removal of the cap 50 from its container. H

' FIGS. 13 and 14 are illustrative of a fourthernbodiment of the presentinvention wherein a safety cap 70, suited for use with a container (notshown) similar to that previously illustrated and discussed, iscomprised of a unitary deformable base 71 having a core receivingchamber 72 in its upper region and a core 73 movable relative to saidcore receiving chamber 72 between a lock position and an unlockposition. The base 71 is comprised of an upper wall portion 74 formingthe core receiving chamber 72 and a lower skirt portion 75 forming acontainer neck receiving chamber 76 and adapted to encircle a containerneck of the type described. The bases skirt portion 75 has neck engagingportions 77 on opposed sides and these comprise inwardly projecting ribs77 adapted to extend beneath the outwardly projecting lip portions ofthe container neck to prevent removal of the base 71 therefrom. Theupper wall protion 74 has finger engaging portions 78 located directlyabove the neck engaging portions 77 of the skirt 75. The base 71 isdeformable to assume a release configuration in response to fingerpressure applied to the finger engaging surface 78 to deform the upperwall to move the finger engaging surface 78 and thereby deform the neckengaging portions 77 of the skirt 75 to retract the rib portions 77 fromthe container neck to permit removal of the base 71 from the container.A central transverse web portion 79 spans the interior of the base 71and separates the core receiving chamber 72 from theneck receivingchamber 76. The inner surface of the base s upper wall 74 is providedwith an annular indentation 80 and the core 73 is provided with acorresponding annular rib 81 on its side wall so that when the core 73is received in the core receiving chamber 72, the core rib 81 isreceived in the indentation 80. The core 73 may thus be snapfitted inthe lock position. Suitable grip indentations 82 may be provided in theupper surface of the core so that the core may be removed by hand or,for example, as shown in P16. 14, by using an instrument or leverlikeobject 83.

FIGS. and 16 are illustrative of a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention wherein a safety cap 90, suited for use with a container (notshown) similar to that previously illustrated and discussed, iscomprised of a unitary deformable base 91 having a core receivingchamber 92 in its upper region and a core 93 movable relative to saidcore receiving chamber 92 between a lock position and an unlockposition. The base 91 is comprised of an upper wall portion 94 formingthe core receiving chamber 92 and a lower skirt portion 59 forming acontainer neck receiving chamber 96 adapted to enclose the containerneck. The base skirt portion 95 has neck engaging portions 97 on opposedsides and these comprise inwardly projecting ribs 97 adapted to extendbeneath the outwardly projecting lip portions of the container neck. Theupper wall portion 94 has finger engaging portions 98 located directlyabove the neck engaging portions 97 of the skirt 95. The base 91 isdeformable to assume a release configuration in response to fingerpressure applied to the finger engaging portion 98. A central webportion 99 spans the interior of the base 91 and separates the corereceiving chamber 92 from the neck receiving chamber 96. An annular rim100 projects a short distance inwardly from the upper edge of the upperwall portion 94. This rim 100 serves to hold the core 93 in the corereceiving chamber 92, yet permits core rotation. The core 93 itself isgenerally disc-like with opposed off-set portions 101 in its sidesurfaces and the side surfaces are angled slightly inwardly so that thecore is slightly wider at the top than at the bottom to facilitateinsertion of the core 93 in the core chamber 92 during assembly. v

FIG. 17 through inclusive are illustrative of a sixth embodiment of thepresent invention comprising a safety closure consisting of a one-piecesafety cap 110 and container 111. The container 111 is provided with aradial recession 112 on its inner surface at the con- The base 113 has adownwardly opening annular shaped first chamber 116 to enclose thecontainer mouth, and an upwardly opening second chamber 117 having alower generally cylindrical portion 1 18 locating in.the center of theannular first chamber 116 and an enlarged upper portion 119. The'firstand second chambers 116 and 117 are separated by a transverse webportion 120 integrally formed in said base 113. The transverse web 120extends inwardly from the center of the generally'cylindrical side wall121 of the base 113 which consists of an upper wall portion 122 definingthe vertical sides of the upwardly opening second chamber 117 and alower skirt portion 123 defining the vertical sides of the downwardlyopening first chamber 116. The transverse web 120 has a radialhorizontalportion 124 joining the sides of the base 1 13, a vertical portion 125extending downwardly from the radially inner end of theradial-horizontal portion 124, and a disc-like central portion 126extending from and joining the lower ends of the vertical web portion125.

The radially outer surface of the vertical portion 125 of the web 120has a pair of radially outwardly projecting portions 127, the uppermostof which locates in the radial recession 1 12 inside the containermouth.

When the core 114 is inserted in the upwardly opening second basechamber 117, the radial projections 127 on the base 113 prevent removalof the cap from the container 111.

When the core 114 is removed from the second base chamber 117, the base113 may be deformed by radially inwardly directed pressure applied tothe outer surface of the upper wall portion 122 of the base 113 abovethe container 111. When deformed in this manner, the base 113 assumesits release configuration characterized in that the radial baseprojections 127 are retracted inwardly out of the radial containerrecessions 112, whereupon the base 113 may be removed from the container111.

The core 114 is designed to be removably pop-fitted in the secondchamber 117. When so fitted the core 114 obstructs radially inwarddeformation of the base 113 so that it is prevented from assuming therelease configuration. The core 1 14 has a generally cylindrical lowerportion 128 which removably locates in the generally cylindrical lowerportion of the second base chamber 117, and a generally disc-like upperportion 129 which locates in the enlarged upper portion of the secondbase chamber 117.

The disc-like upper core portion 129 has relatively narrow vertical sidewalls 130 adjacent the tab and extending roughly past the tab 115 oneither side whereupon the side walls of the disc portion begin to slantinwardly forming a downwardly facing inclined surface 131 for about 120about the side of the core disc portion 129 opposite the flexible tab115. In addition, a narrow offset ledge of seat 132 is formed in thecore disc portion above the aforesaid inclined side surface 131. Theenlarged upper portion 119 of the bases core receiving chamber 117 iscorrespondingly formed to closely fit the core disc portion 129, suchupper chamber portion 119 having vertical side edges 133 for roughly l20on either side of the flexible tab 115 and then an upwardly facinginclined surface .134 for about l20 about the chamber wall portionopposite the tab 115. In addition, a narrow radially projecting lipportion 135 extends inwardly above such inclined chamber surface 134.When the core 114 is in place in the upper base chamber 119, theinclined core surface 131 rests against and in generally parallelrelation to, the inclined chamber wall surface 134 and the narrow baselip 135 seats in the offset core seat 132. The lip 135 primarily servestwo functions, the first being that it provides a pop-fit tending tohold the core 114' in the chamber 117, and the second being to overlaythe undercut core edge surface 131 so that the core 114 cannot be priedout.

In the operation of the safety closure, the cap 110 is removed in twosteps. In the first step, finger pressure is is applied radiallyinwardly at the side of the base 113 above the container 111 on theouter surface of the upper side wall portion 122 adjacent the inclinedsurface 134 (opposite the flexible tab 115). Inward pressure at thatpoint, transmitted to the core at the inclined core and base surfaces131 and 134, causes a resultant upward force component tending to forcethe core 114 upwardly out of the core chamber 1 17.

Once the core 114 is removed, the second step in removing the cap 110consists of applying finger pressure radially inwardly at one or moresides of the base 113 above the container 111 on the upper side wallportion 122. Such pressure deforms the cap 110 (to assume releaseconfiguration) and retracts at least a portion of the radial coreprojection 127 out of the radial container recession 112 therebypermitting the cap 110 to be pulledoff the container 111. This may-notbe done while the core 114 is in the core chamber 117 since the core 114 obstructs inward deformation of the base 1 13.

It will be appreciated that the safety cap 110 shown in FIG. 17-20 isconstructed in one piece which facilitates production and assembly,tending to lower production costs, and also prevents loss of the core.-

A seventh embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 21which is a safety closure consisting of a container 140 and safety cap141 essentially identical to the closure illustrated and described withregard to FIGS. 17-21, except that the lower cylindrical portion of thecore 142 is provided with a radially outward projection 143 about itscircumference, and the vertical side walls 144 of the lower generallycylindrical portion of the bases core chamber 147 are provided with acorresponding radial recession 145. When assembled, the aforesaid radialprojection 143 locates in the radial recession 145 in popfitted relationtending to prevent removal of the core 146. The primary function of thisadded feature is to make removal of the core 146 more difficult so thatgreater finger pressure must be applied at the side in order to pop thecore 146 out of the base core chamber 147. In all other aspects, theconstruction and operation of this embodiment and that shown in FIGS. 17to 20 are essentially the same.

An eighth embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 22, is asafety closure essentially identi- 6 cal in form and operation to theclosure illustrated in FIG. 21, except that the inclined surfaces of thecore and base, the offset core seat and the inwardly project- 10 ingbase lip are eliminated so that the side 150 of the upper-disc likeportion 151 of the core 152 is generally vertical about its entirety(except at the flexible tab 153), are as is the corresponding inner sidewall 154 of the upper enlarged portion of the core chamber. A narrowupwardly opening aperture 155 is provided in the upper surface of thecore so that a prying tool may be employed to withdraw the core from thecore chamber (rather than the finger pressure technique described inconnection with the two previous embodiments).

Each of the sixth, seventh and eighth embodiments shown are constructedof a suitable flexible plastic material, such as polyethylene.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe present invention, and. since numerous modifications and changeswill readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention is notlimited to the exact construction and operation shown and described, andaccordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A cap adapted for closure of the opening of a container which has aneck portion with the container opening formed therein, said capcomprising a unitary deformable base comprising a lower skirt portionforming a downwardly opening first chamber to receive the container neckand an upper wall portion forming an upwardly opening second chamber toreceive a core, said skirt portion having a neck engaging portion which,when the neck is received in said neck receiving chamber, engages theneck to prevent removal of said base from the neck, said upper wallportion having a finger engaging surface located directly above saidneck engaging portion, said base deformable to assume a releaseconfiguration in response to inwardly directed pressure applied to saidfinger engaging surface to deform said finger engaging surfacesubstantially toward the center of said core receiving chamber therebydeforming said neck engaging portion of said skirt portion in adirection away from the center of said neck receiving chamber, so thatwhen the container neck is received in said neck receiving chamber,deformation of said base to assume said release configuration disengagessaid neck engaging portion from said container neck to permit removal ofsaid base therefrom, a core movable relative to said core receivingchamber between a lock position and an unlock position; and said lockposition characterized by location of said core within said core chamberin a position obstructing substantial inward deformation of said wallportion at said finger engaging surface so that said base may not bedeformed to assume said release configuration, and said unlock positioncharacterized by location of said core in a position not obstructingsubstantial inward deformation of said wall portion at said fingerengaging surface so that said base may be deformed to assume saidrelease configuration.

2. A cap as recited in claim 1 wherein said core has an offset portionand is rotatable within said core receiving chamber of said base betweensaid lock and said unlock positions, said offset portion of said corealigned adjacent said finger engaging surface of said wall portion ofsaid base when said core is in said unlock position.

3. A cap as recited in claim 1 wherein saidcore is at least partiallywithdrawn from said core receiving chamber of said base in said unlockposition.

4. A cap as recited in claim 3 wherein the outer surface of said coreand the inner surface of said side wall portions are correspondinglyhelically threaded so that said core may be moved between said lock andunlock position by screw motion;

5. A cap as recited in claim 3 wherein said closure member has at leastone flange portion projecting into said core receiving chamber from saidupper wall and wherein said core has at least one flange portionprojecting outwardly and located beneath said base flange when said coreis in lock position so that said core and base are interlocked at saidflange portions when said core is in said lock position.

6. A cap as recited in claim .5 wherein said base flange extends aboutonly a portion of the interior .surface of said upper wall of said base;wherein said core flange extends about only a portion of the outersurface of said core; and wherein said core is rotatable within saidcore chamber between said lock position and an intermediate position,said intermediate position characterized by said core flange, not beingbeneath said base flange so that said core may be withdrawn from saidbase to assume said unlock position.

7. A cap as recited in claim 5 wherein said cap is deformable in theinterlocking region of said base flange and core flange so that saidcore may be snapfitted into said lock position, said core movablebetween said lock and said unlock positions only by deformation of saidcap in said interlocking region.

8. A cap asrecited in claim 3 wherein said cap further comprises meansconnecting said core to said base when said core is in said unlockposition.

9. A cap adapted for closure of the opening of a container which has aneck portion with the container downwardly from said transverse webportion to form a downwardly opening first chamber for receiving thecontainer neck, and an upper wall portion extending upwardly from saidtransverse web portion to form an upwardly opening second chamber forreceiving a core, saidskirt portion having a radially inwardlyprojecting rib adapted to extend beneath the outwardly projecting lipportion of the container to prevent removal of said base from thecontainer neck, said upper wall portion having a finger engaging surfacelocated directly above said inwardly projecting rib, said basedeformable to assume a release configuration in response to inwardlydirected pressure applied to said finger engaging surface to deform saidfinger engaging surface substantially inwardly thereby deforming saidskirt portion to move said inwardly projecting rib outwardly so thatwhen said container neck is received in said neck receiving chamber,deformation of said base to assume said release configuration withdrawssaid inwardly projecting. rib from beneath said outwardly projecting lipportion to permit removal of said base from said container; and

a core movable relative to said core receiving chamber between a lockposition and an unlock position, said lock position characterized bylocation of said core within said core chamber in a position obstructingsubstantial inward deformation of said wall portion at said fingerengaging surface so that said base may not be deformed to assume saidrelease configuration, and said unlock position characterized bylocation of said core in a position not obstructing substantial inwarddeformation of said wall portion at said finger engaging surface so thatsaid base maybe deformed to asaligned adjacent said finger engagingsurface of said wall portion of said base when said core is in saidunlock position. v

l l. A cap as recited in claim 9 wherein said core is at least partiallywithdrawn from said core receiving chamber at said base in said unlockposition.

12. A cap as recited in claim 11 wherein the outer surface of said coreand the inner surface of said side wall portions are correspondinglyhelically threaded so that said core may be moved between said lock andunlock positions by screw motion.

13. A cap as recited in claim 11 wherein said base has at least oneflange portion projecting into said core receiving chamber from saidupper wall and wherein said core has at least one flange portionprojecting outwardly and located beneath said base flange when said coreis in lock position so that said core and base are interlocked atsaidflange portions when said core is in said lock position. v

14. A cap as recited, in claim 13 wherein said base flange extends aboutonly a portion of the interior surface of said upper wall of said base;wherein said core flange extends about only a portion of the outersurface of said core; and wherein said core is rotatable within saidcore chamber between said lock position and an intermediate position,said intermediate position characterized by said core flange not beingbeneath said base flange so that said core may be withdrawn from saidbase to assume said unlock position.

15. A cap as recited in claim 13 wherein said cap is deformable in theinterlocking region of said base flange and core flange so that saidcore may be snapfitted into said lock position, said core movablebetween said lock and said unlock positions only by deformation of saidcap in said interlocking region.

16. A cap as recited in claim 11 wherein said cap further comprisesmeans connecting said core to said base when said core is in said unlockposition.

17. A cap as recited in claim 16 wherein said connecting means isintegrally formed with said core, projecting from the lower surfacethereof and comprising a narrow elongated body portion and an enlargedtip; and wherein an aperture is formed in the said transverse portion toslidingly receive said connecting means, said aperture being smallerthan the'tip of said connecting means to anchor said connecting meanstherein.

18. A closure comprising the combination of the cap and containerrecited in claim 9.

19. A cap and container combination where the container has a cavitywith the opening to the container cavity formed in a container neckportion, and wherein the improvement comprises a cap comprising aunitary deformable base comprising a lower skirt portion forming a firstupwardly opening chamber to receive the container neck and an upper wallportion forming a second downwardly opening chamber for receiving acore, said skirt portion having a neck engaging portion which, when theneck is received in said neck receiving chamber, engages the neck toprevent removal of said base from the neck, said upper wall portionhaving a finger engaging surface located directly above said neckengaging portion, said base deformable to assume a release configurationin response to inwardly directed pressure applied to said fingerengaging surface to deform said finger engaging surface substantiallytoward the center of said core receiving chamber thereby deforming saidneck engaging portion of said skirt portion in a direction away from thecenter of said neck receiving chamber so that said neck engaging portionis disengaged from said container neck to permit removal of said basefrom said container; and

a core movable relative to said core receiving chamber between a lockposition and an unlock position, said lock position characterized bylocation of said core within said core chamber in a position obstructingsubstantial inward deformation of said wall portion at'said fingerengaging surface so that said base may not be deformed to assume saidrelease configuration, and said unlock position characterized bylocation of said core in a position not obstructing substantial inwarddeformation of said wall portion at said finger engaging surface so thatsaid base may be deformed to assume said release configuration.

20. A closure as recited in claim 19 wherein said core has an offsetportion and is rotatable within said core receiving chamber of said basebetween said lock and said unlock positions, said offset portion of saidcore aligned adjacent said finger engaging portion of said wall portionof said base when said core is in said unlock position.

21. A closure as recited in claim 19 wherein said core is at leastpartially withdrawn from said core receiving chamber of said base insaid unlock position.

22. A closure as recited in claim 21 wherein said cap further comprisesmeans connecting said core to said base when said core is in said unlockposition.

23. A closure comprising a cap and a container in combination, where thecontainer has a cavity with the opening to the container cavity formedin a neck portion, and where the improvement comprises a lip portionprojecting outwardly from said neck portion of said container; and

a cap comprising a unitary deformable base comprising a centraltransverse web portion, a lower skirt portion extending downwardly fromsaid portion to form a first downwardly opening chamber enclosing thecontainer neck, and an upper wall portion extending upwardly from saidweb portion to form a second upwardly opening chamber for receiving acore, said skirt portion having an inwardly projecting rib extendingbeneath the outwardly projecting lip portion of the container to preventremoval of said base from the container neck, said upper wall portionhaving a finger engaging surface located directly above said inwardlyprojecting rib, said base deformable to assume a release configurationin response to inwardly directed pressure applied to said fingerengaging surface to deform said finger engaging surface substantiallyinwardly thereby deforming said skirt portion to move said inwardlyprojecting rib outwardly, so that said inwardly projecting rib iswithdrawn from beneath said outwardly projecting lip portion topermitremoval of said base from said container; and a core movablerelative to said core receiving chamber between a lock position and anunlock position, said lock position characterized by location of saidcore within said core chamber in a position obstructing substantialinward deformation of said wall portion at said finger engaging surfaceso that said base may not be deformed to assume said releaseconfiguration, and said unlock position characterized by location ofsaid core in a position not obstructing substantial inward deformationof said wall portion at said finger engaging surface so that said basemay be deformed to assume said release configuration.

24. A closure comprising a container provided with a radial recession atthe container mouth; and

a cap comprising a base having a downwardly opening first chamberenclosing the container mouth, an upwardly opening second chamber, and aradially projecting portion locating in said radial recession in saidcontainer tending to prevent removal of said base from said container,said base deformable to assume a release configuration in response topressure applied radially inwardly at the side of said base above saidcontainer, said base deformable to assume a release configuration inresponse to pressure applied radially inwardly at the side of said baseabove said container, said release configuration characterized in thatsaid radially projecting portion is retracted from said radial recessionto permit removal of said base from said container, and

core movable relative to said second chamber between a lock position andan unlock position, said lock position characterized by location of saidcore within said second chamber in a position obstructing deformation ofsaid base to assume said release configuration, and said unlock positioncharacterized by location of said core in a position not obstructingdeformation of said base to assume said release configuration.

25. A closure compn'sing a container provided with a radial recession onits inner surface at the container mouth; and

a cap comprising a base having a downwardly opening first chamberenclosing the container mouth,

an upwardly opening second chamber, and a radially projecting portionlocating in said radial recession in said container tending to preventremoval of said base from said container, said base deformable to assumea release configuration in response to pressure applied radiallyinwardly at the side of said base above said container, said releaseconfiguration characterized in that said radially projecting portion isretracted from said radial recession to permit removal of said base fromsaid container; a core removably pop-fitted in said second chamber toobstruct deformation of said base to assume said release configurationso that when said pop-fitted base is removed from said second chamber,said core does not obstruct deformation of said base to assume saidrelease configuration; and a flexible tab integrally connecting one sideof said core to one side of said base.

26. A closure as recited in claim 25 wherein said core is provided witha narrow upwardly opening aperture in said core for receiving a pryingtool for use in removal of said core from said second chamber.

27. A closure as recited in claim 25 wherein said base is provided witha generally upwardly facing inclined surface forming at least a portionof the side wall surface defining said second chamber, so that whenradially inwardly directed pressure is applied to the outer side surfaceof said base adjacent said inclined surface, said inclined surface tendsto force said core upwardly out of said second chamber to facilitateremoval of said core from said second chamber.

28. A closure as recited in claim 27 wherein said core is provided witha generally downwardly facing inclined side surface adjacent saidupwardly facing inclined surface on said base; wherein said core isfurther provided with a narrow offset seat directly above said inclinedcore side surface; and wherein said base is provided with a narrowradially inwardly projecting lip portion fitting said narrow offset seaton said core.

29. A closure comprising a container provided with a radial recession onits inner surface at the container month; and

a cap comprising a base having a downwardly opening annular firstchamber enclosing the container mouth, an upwardly opening secondchamber having a lower generally cylindrical portion locating in thecenter of said annular first chamber and an enlarged upper portion and aradially projecting portion locating in said radial recession in saidcontainer tending to prevent removal of said base from said container,said base deformable to assume a release configuration in response topressure applied radially inwardly at the side of said base above saidcontainer, said release configuration characterized in that saidradially projecting portion is retracted from said radial recession topermit removal of said base from said container; a core removablypop-fitted in said second chamber to obstruct deformation of said baseto assume said release configuration so that when said pop-fitted baseis removed from said second chamber, said core does not obstructdeformation of said base to assume core does not obstruct deformation ofsaid base to assume said release configuration; and a flexible tabintegrally connecting one side of said core to one side of said base.30. A closure as recited in claim 29 wherein said core is provided witha narrowupwardly opening aperture in said core for receiving a pryingtool for use in removal 7 of said core from said second chamber.

31. A closure as recited in claim 29 wherein said base is provided witha generally upwardly facing inclined surface forming at least a portionof the side wall surface defining said upper second chamber portion sothat when radially inwardly directed pressure is applied to the outerside surface of said base adjacent said inclined side surface, saidinclined surface tends to force said core upwardly out of said secondchamber to facilitate removal of said core from said second chamber.

32. A closure as recited in claim 31 wherein said core is provided witha generally downwardly facing inclined side surface adjacent saidupwardly facing inclined surface on said base; wherein said core isfurther provided with a narrow offset seat directly above said inclinedcore side surface; and wherein said base is provided with a narrowradially inwardly projecting lip portion fitting said narrow offset seaton said core.

33. A closure as recited in claim 26 wherein said core is removablypop-fitted in said second chamber.

34. A closure as recited in claim 27 wherein said core is removablypop-fitted in said second chamber.

35. A closure as recited in claim 28 wherein said core is removablypop-fitted in said second chamber.

36. A closure as recited in claim 28 wherein said core is provided witha radial projection and said base is provided with a radial recessionreceiving said radial projection on said core to maintain said coreremovably pop-fitted in said second chamber.

37. A closure as recited in claim 29 wherein said core is provided witha radial projection and said base is provided with a radial recessionreceiving said radial projection on said core to maintain said coreremovably pop-fitted in said second chamber.

1. A cap adapted for closure of the opening of a container which has aneck portion with the container opening formed therein, said capcomprising a unitary deformable base comprising a lower skirt portionforming a downwardly opening first chamber to receive the container neckand an upper wall portion forming an upwardly opening second chamber toreceive a core, said skirt portion having a neck engaging portion which,when the neck is received in said neck receiving chamber, engages theneck to prevent removal of said base from the neck, said upper wallportion having a finger engaging surface located directly above saidneck engaging portion, said base deformable to assume a releaseconfiguration in response to inwardly directed pressure applied to saidfinger engaging surface to deform said finger engaging surfacesubstantially toward the center of said core receiving chamber therebydeforming said neck engaging portion of said skirt portion in adirection away from the center of said neck receiving chamber, so thatwhen the container neck is received in said neck receiving chamber,deformation of said base to assume said release configuration disengagessaid neck engaging portion from said container neck to permit removal ofsaid base therefrom, a core movable relative to said core receivingchamber between a lock position and an unlock position; and said lockposition characterized by location of said core within said core chamberin a position obstructing substantial inward deformation of said wallportion at said finger engaging surface so that said base may not bedeformed to assume said release configuration, and said unlock positioncharacterized by location of said core in a position not obstructingsubstantial inward deformation of said wall portion at said fingerengaging surface so that said base may be deformed to assume saidrelease configuration.
 2. A cap as recited in claim 1 wherein said corehas an offset portion and is rotatable within said core receivingchamber of said base between said lock and said unlock positions, saidoffset portion of said core aligned adjacent said finger engagingsurface of said wall portion of said base when said core is in saidunlock position.
 3. A cap as recited in claim 1 wherein said core is atleast partially withdrawn from said core receiving chamber of said basein said unlock position.
 4. A cap as recited in claim 3 wherein theouter surface of said core and the inner surface of said side wallportions are correspondingly helically threaded so that said core may bemoved between said lock and unlock position by screw motion.
 5. A cap asrecited in claim 3 wherein said closure member has at least one flangeportion projecting into said core receiving chamber from said upper walland wherein said core has at least one flange portion projectingoutwardly and located beneath said base flange when said core is in lockposition so that said core and base are interlocked at said flangeportions when said core is in said lock position.
 6. A cap as recited inclaim 5 wherein said base flange extends about only a portion of theinterior surface of said upper wall of said base; wherein said coreflange extends about only a portion of the outer surface of said core;and wherein said core is rotatable within said core chamber between saidlock position and an intermEdiate position, said intermediate positioncharacterized by said core flange, not being beneath said base flange sothat said core may be withdrawn from said base to assume said unlockposition.
 7. A cap as recited in claim 5 wherein said cap is deformablein the interlocking region of said base flange and core flange so thatsaid core may be snap-fitted into said lock position, said core movablebetween said lock and said unlock positions only by deformation of saidcap in said interlocking region.
 8. A cap as recited in claim 3 whereinsaid cap further comprises means connecting said core to said base whensaid core is in said unlock position.
 9. A cap adapted for closure ofthe opening of a container which has a neck portion with the containeropening formed therein, said neck provided with a radially outwardlyprojecting lip portion, said cap comprising a unitary deformable basecomprising a central transverse web portion a lower skirt portionextending downwardly from said transverse web portion to form adownwardly opening first chamber for receiving the container neck, andan upper wall portion extending upwardly from said transverse webportion to form an upwardly opening second chamber for receiving a core,said skirt portion having a radially inwardly projecting rib adapted toextend beneath the outwardly projecting lip portion of the container toprevent removal of said base from the container neck, said upper wallportion having a finger engaging surface located directly above saidinwardly projecting rib, said base deformable to assume a releaseconfiguration in response to inwardly directed pressure applied to saidfinger engaging surface to deform said finger engaging surfacesubstantially inwardly thereby deforming said skirt portion to move saidinwardly projecting rib outwardly so that when said container neck isreceived in said neck receiving chamber, deformation of said base toassume said release configuration withdraws said inwardly projecting ribfrom beneath said outwardly projecting lip portion to permit removal ofsaid base from said container; and a core movable relative to said corereceiving chamber between a lock position and an unlock position, saidlock position characterized by location of said core within said corechamber in a position obstructing substantial inward deformation of saidwall portion at said finger engaging surface so that said base may notbe deformed to assume said release configuration, and said unlockposition characterized by location of said core in a position notobstructing substantial inward deformation of said wall portion at saidfinger engaging surface so that said base may be deformed to assume saidrelease configuration.
 10. A cap as recited in claim 9 wherein said corehas an offset portion and is rotatable within said core receivingchamber of said base between said lock and said unlock positions, saidoffset portion of said core aligned adjacent said finger engagingsurface of said wall portion of said base when said core is in saidunlock position.
 11. A cap as recited in claim 9 wherein said core is atleast partially withdrawn from said core receiving chamber at said basein said unlock position.
 12. A cap as recited in claim 11 wherein theouter surface of said core and the inner surface of said side wallportions are correspondingly helically threaded so that said core may bemoved between said lock and unlock positions by screw motion.
 13. A capas recited in claim 11 wherein said base has at least one flange portionprojecting into said core receiving chamber from said upper wall andwherein said core has at least one flange portion projecting outwardlyand located beneath said base flange when said core is in lock positionso that said core and base are interlocked at said flange portions whensaid core is in said lock position.
 14. A cap as recited in claim 13wherein said base flange extends about only a portion of the interiorsurface of said upper wall of said bAse; wherein said core flangeextends about only a portion of the outer surface of said core; andwherein said core is rotatable within said core chamber between saidlock position and an intermediate position, said intermediate positioncharacterized by said core flange not being beneath said base flange sothat said core may be withdrawn from said base to assume said unlockposition.
 15. A cap as recited in claim 13 wherein said cap isdeformable in the interlocking region of said base flange and coreflange so that said core may be snap-fitted into said lock position,said core movable between said lock and said unlock positions only bydeformation of said cap in said interlocking region.
 16. A cap asrecited in claim 11 wherein said cap further comprises means connectingsaid core to said base when said core is in said unlock position.
 17. Acap as recited in claim 16 wherein said connecting means is integrallyformed with said core, projecting from the lower surface thereof andcomprising a narrow elongated body portion and an enlarged tip; andwherein an aperture is formed in the said transverse portion toslidingly receive said connecting means, said aperture being smallerthan the tip of said connecting means to anchor said connecting meanstherein.
 18. A closure comprising the combination of the cap andcontainer recited in claim
 9. 19. A cap and container combination wherethe container has a cavity with the opening to the container cavityformed in a container neck portion, and wherein the improvementcomprises a cap comprising a unitary deformable base comprising a lowerskirt portion forming a first upwardly opening chamber to receive thecontainer neck and an upper wall portion forming a second downwardlyopening chamber for receiving a core, said skirt portion having a neckengaging portion which, when the neck is received in said neck receivingchamber, engages the neck to prevent removal of said base from the neck,said upper wall portion having a finger engaging surface locateddirectly above said neck engaging portion, said base deformable toassume a release configuration in response to inwardly directed pressureapplied to said finger engaging surface to deform said finger engagingsurface substantially toward the center of said core receiving chamberthereby deforming said neck engaging portion of said skirt portion in adirection away from the center of said neck receiving chamber so thatsaid neck engaging portion is disengaged from said container neck topermit removal of said base from said container; and a core movablerelative to said core receiving chamber between a lock position and anunlock position, said lock position characterized by location of saidcore within said core chamber in a position obstructing substantialinward deformation of said wall portion at said finger engaging surfaceso that said base may not be deformed to assume said releaseconfiguration, and said unlock position characterized by location ofsaid core in a position not obstructing substantial inward deformationof said wall portion at said finger engaging surface so that said basemay be deformed to assume said release configuration.
 20. A closure asrecited in claim 19 wherein said core has an offset portion and isrotatable within said core receiving chamber of said base between saidlock and said unlock positions, said offset portion of said core alignedadjacent said finger engaging portion of said wall portion of said basewhen said core is in said unlock position.
 21. A closure as recited inclaim 19 wherein said core is at least partially withdrawn from saidcore receiving chamber of said base in said unlock position.
 22. Aclosure as recited in claim 21 wherein said cap further comprises meansconnecting said core to said base when said core is in said unlockposition.
 23. A closure comprising a cap and a container in combination,where the container has a cavity with the opening to the containercavity formed in a neck portion, aNd where the improvement comprises alip portion projecting outwardly from said neck portion of saidcontainer; and a cap comprising a unitary deformable base comprising acentral transverse web portion, a lower skirt portion extendingdownwardly from said portion to form a first downwardly opening chamberenclosing the container neck, and an upper wall portion extendingupwardly from said web portion to form a second upwardly opening chamberfor receiving a core, said skirt portion having an inwardly projectingrib extending beneath the outwardly projecting lip portion of thecontainer to prevent removal of said base from the container neck, saidupper wall portion having a finger engaging surface located directlyabove said inwardly projecting rib, said base deformable to assume arelease configuration in response to inwardly directed pressure appliedto said finger engaging surface to deform said finger engaging surfacesubstantially inwardly thereby deforming said skirt portion to move saidinwardly projecting rib outwardly, so that said inwardly projecting ribis withdrawn from beneath said outwardly projecting lip portion topermit removal of said base from said container; and a core movablerelative to said core receiving chamber between a lock position and anunlock position, said lock position characterized by location of saidcore within said core chamber in a position obstructing substantialinward deformation of said wall portion at said finger engaging surfaceso that said base may not be deformed to assume said releaseconfiguration, and said unlock position characterized by location ofsaid core in a position not obstructing substantial inward deformationof said wall portion at said finger engaging surface so that said basemay be deformed to assume said release configuration.
 24. A closurecomprising a container provided with a radial recession at the containermouth; and a cap comprising a base having a downwardly opening firstchamber enclosing the container mouth, an upwardly opening secondchamber, and a radially projecting portion locating in said radialrecession in said container tending to prevent removal of said base fromsaid container, said base deformable to assume a release configurationin response to pressure applied radially inwardly at the side of saidbase above said container, said base deformable to assume a releaseconfiguration in response to pressure applied radially inwardly at theside of said base above said container, said release configurationcharacterized in that said radially projecting portion is retracted fromsaid radial recession to permit removal of said base from saidcontainer, and a core movable relative to said second chamber between alock position and an unlock position, said lock position characterizedby location of said core within said second chamber in a positionobstructing deformation of said base to assume said releaseconfiguration, and said unlock position characterized by location ofsaid core in a position not obstructing deformation of said base toassume said release configuration.
 25. A closure comprising a containerprovided with a radial recession on its inner surface at the containermouth; and a cap comprising a base having a downwardly opening firstchamber enclosing the container mouth, an upwardly opening secondchamber, and a radially projecting portion locating in said radialrecession in said container tending to prevent removal of said base fromsaid container, said base deformable to assume a release configurationin response to pressure applied radially inwardly at the side of saidbase above said container, said release configuration characterized inthat said radially projecting portion is retracted from said radialrecession to permit removal of said base from said container; a coreremovably pop-fitted in said second chamber to obstruct deformation ofsaid base to assume said release configuration so that when saidpop-fitted base is removed frOm said second chamber, said core does notobstruct deformation of said base to assume said release configuration;and a flexible tab integrally connecting one side of said core to oneside of said base.
 26. A closure as recited in claim 25 wherein saidcore is provided with a narrow upwardly opening aperture in said corefor receiving a prying tool for use in removal of said core from saidsecond chamber.
 27. A closure as recited in claim 25 wherein said baseis provided with a generally upwardly facing inclined surface forming atleast a portion of the side wall surface defining said second chamber,so that when radially inwardly directed pressure is applied to the outerside surface of said base adjacent said inclined surface, said inclinedsurface tends to force said core upwardly out of said second chamber tofacilitate removal of said core from said second chamber.
 28. A closureas recited in claim 27 wherein said core is provided with a generallydownwardly facing inclined side surface adjacent said upwardly facinginclined surface on said base; wherein said core is further providedwith a narrow offset seat directly above said inclined core sidesurface; and wherein said base is provided with a narrow radiallyinwardly projecting lip portion fitting said narrow offset seat on saidcore.
 29. A closure comprising a container provided with a radialrecession on its inner surface at the container mouth; and a capcomprising a base having a downwardly opening annular first chamberenclosing the container mouth, an upwardly opening second chamber havinga lower generally cylindrical portion locating in the center of saidannular first chamber and an enlarged upper portion and a radiallyprojecting portion locating in said radial recession in said containertending to prevent removal of said base from said container, said basedeformable to assume a release configuration in response to pressureapplied radially inwardly at the side of said base above said container,said release configuration characterized in that said radiallyprojecting portion is retracted from said radial recession to permitremoval of said base from said container; a core removably pop-fitted insaid second chamber to obstruct deformation of said base to assume saidrelease configuration so that when said pop-fitted base is removed fromsaid second chamber, said core does not obstruct deformation of saidbase to assume core does not obstruct deformation of said base to assumesaid release configuration; and a flexible tab integrally connecting oneside of said core to one side of said base.
 30. A closure as recited inclaim 29 wherein said core is provided with a narrow upwardly openingaperture in said core for receiving a prying tool for use in removal ofsaid core from said second chamber.
 31. A closure as recited in claim 29wherein said base is provided with a generally upwardly facing inclinedsurface forming at least a portion of the side wall surface definingsaid upper second chamber portion so that when radially inwardlydirected pressure is applied to the outer side surface of said baseadjacent said inclined side surface, said inclined surface tends toforce said core upwardly out of said second chamber to facilitateremoval of said core from said second chamber.
 32. A closure as recitedin claim 31 wherein said core is provided with a generally downwardlyfacing inclined side surface adjacent said upwardly facing inclinedsurface on said base; wherein said core is further provided with anarrow offset seat directly above said inclined core side surface; andwherein said base is provided with a narrow radially inwardly projectinglip portion fitting said narrow offset seat on said core.
 33. A closureas recited in claim 26 wherein said core is removably pop-fitted in saidsecond chamber.
 34. A closure as recited in claim 27 wherein said coreis removably pop-fitted in said second chamber.
 35. A closure as recitedin claim 28 wherein said core is removably poP-fitted in said secondchamber.
 36. A closure as recited in claim 28 wherein said core isprovided with a radial projection and said base is provided with aradial recession receiving said radial projection on said core tomaintain said core removably pop-fitted in said second chamber.
 37. Aclosure as recited in claim 29 wherein said core is provided with aradial projection and said base is provided with a radial recessionreceiving said radial projection on said core to maintain said coreremovably pop-fitted in said second chamber.